Before you go

Your trip to Vicuña.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Vicuña – Coquimbo Destination Vale do Elqui about 62 km from La Serena

How to get there

Aeródromo La Florida (LSC) La Serena · 60 km
Terminal de Buses de Vicuña 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

From La Serena it's about 62 km via Ruta 41, around an hour by car. Buses and vans leave the La Serena terminal several times a day and arrive at the Vicuña terminal, one block from the plaza. The nearest airport is La Florida, in La Serena.

How many days

One day with one night allows visiting the museum, the distillery, and an observatory session. With two days there's time to go up the valley to Montegrande and Pisco Elqui without rushing.

When to go

The valley is sunny most of the year. December to March brings hot days and more activity; October, November, March and April have milder nights and a good chance of clear skies. From June to August nights approach zero degrees and some weather fronts bring clouds and rain.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

It's not essential. Vicuña's center is walkable, the observatories provide their own transport and there are buses to Montegrande and Pisco Elqui. A car gives the freedom to stop at viewpoints and small distilleries, and to return from the observatories at your own pace.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Vicuña

Morning
Plaza, Torre Bauer and museum
Start at the Plaza de Armas and the Torre Bauer, where the tourist office is located. Then walk to the Museo Gabriela Mistral to learn about the poet's life and see the replica of her birthplace.
Afternoon
Pisco at the Capel Plant
After lunch, take the guided tour at the Centro Turístico Capel, within walking distance from the center, and see the stills and the pisco museum.
Late afternoon
Rest and early dinner
Return to the plaza for a coffee or a papaya ice cream and have an early dinner before heading out to the observatory.
Evening
Observatory session
Go out with the group to the Observatorio Cerro Mamalluca or del Pangue and observe the southern hemisphere sky. Bring a heavy jacket.

2 days in Vicuña

Day 1

Morning
Vicuña center
Visit the Plaza de Armas, the Torre Bauer, the church and the Museo Gabriela Mistral.
Afternoon
Capel distillery
Take the tour of the Centro Turístico Capel and rest at your accommodation before night.
Evening
Observatory
Attend the night session at Mamalluca or del Pangue, with a reservation made in advance.

Day 2

Morning
Montegrande and Gabriela Mistral
Go up the valley to Montegrande, visit the poet's tomb and the Casa Escuela where she lived.
Afternoon
Pisco Elqui
Continue to Pisco Elqui, have lunch near the plaza and take the tour of the Pisco Mistral distillery.
Late afternoon
Return through the valley
Descend back to Vicuña or La Serena with the low light over the vineyards, or stay overnight in Pisco Elqui.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get from La Serena to Vicuña?

Via Ruta 41, about 62 km. Buses and vans leave the La Serena terminal throughout the day; by car, it takes about an hour.

Is it worth sleeping in Vicuña or returning to La Serena?

To attend the observatory, staying in Vicuña is more practical because the sessions end late at night.

Do you need to book the observatory in advance?

Yes, especially from December to February, during Holy Week and the September holidays. Spots are limited.

Is it cold in Vicuña?

During the day the sun is strong and warms you, but the nights get very cold, especially from May to September. Bring warm clothes for the night.

Can you see the Elqui Valley in a day trip from La Serena?

You can see Vicuña and a distillery, but the observatory is out of reach unless you return at dawn. Ideally you should spend the night in the valley.

Back to Vicuña